Appalled but reluctant to rush to judgment, CaptainWilliam T. Riker and his crew investigate, discovering a cosmic spawning ground in a region of active star formation—the ecosystem for a bewildering array of diverse but similarly vast lifeforms. While attempting to negotiate an end to the victimization of these creatures, Riker's crew inadvertently grants them the means to defeat their hunters' purpose… only to learn that things are not exactly as they seem.

USS Titan, Stardate 57137.8 (February 20, 2380, 10:30): Deanna Troi wakes up from a bad dream. She dismisses it as anxiety about the start of their mission, but cannot go back to sleep, so she takes a walk around the ship. While reflecting on the diversity of the Titan's crew, she passes the mess hall, where the ship's carnivores, including Dr. Ree, are eating. Continuing on, she encounters Dr. Ra-Havreii coming out of Ensign Lavena's quarters. She escorts him to his quarters while discussing his unwelcome advances on Ensign Panyarachun. She continues to brush off his advances on her until he is back in his quarters, when she admits to herself that they were amusing.